Franklin and Bennett get elevated contracts

Allrounder James Frankin and fast bowler Hamish Bennett have both earned elevated contracts from New Zealand Cricket after regular appearances in the national team.

Franklin, 30, has three half-centuries in one-dayers in his past six innings, and also took three wickets with his medium-pace in the consolation victory over Pakistan on Saturday. In a squad filled with allrounders, Franklin has cemented a starting place edging ahead of the likes of Grant Elliott.

Bennett, 23, impressed the team management with his pace and was picked in every match of the six-ODI series against Pakistan, in which he was the highest wicket-taker, finishing with 11 at 20.90.

Players who have not received central contracts from NZC get an elevated contract after they play a specified number of matches for the national team. The new contracts of Franklin and Bennett, both part of New Zealand's 15-man squad for the World Cup, will run till the end of July.